No NC legislative ethics probe of Tillis aides

No NC legislative ethics probe of Tillis aides

N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis

RALEIGH, N.C. — An ethics committee in North Carolina’s Legislature is declining a request to investigate romantic relationships between lobbyists and two of state House Speaker Thom Tillis’s former aides.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported the Legislative Ethics Committee denied the request by saying it did not have the authority to investigate legislative employees or lobbyists. The committee governs the conduct of elected lawmakers in the General Assembly.

Democrats asked the committee to investigate after two aides to the Republican House leader resigned because of their relationships with lobbyists. Democrats said the disclosures of inappropriate relationships between Tillis’ staff and the lobbyists raise questions about conflicts of interest and undue influence on lawmaking.

A request for the state Ethics Commission to investigate remains pending. The commission can investigate anyone in state government.